Current Residents
First Year Residents
Ted Weatherwax, MD
Where are you originally from?
I grew up in Taos, NM and Browning, MTUndergraduate College:
Montana State University - BS in Microbiology Tulane - MS in Cellular and Molecular BiologyWhere did you attend Medical School?
University of New Mexico, School of MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I started my journey into medicine as an EMT on my own reservation. While there I developed a deep appreciation for the role in a community physicians can have for cultivating a culture of healing. When I was given the opportunity to visit PTHA during my interview season I was deeply impressed by the level of community that was developed between the providers, the staff and the people they serve. In addition it opened my eyes to osteopathic manipulation. To learn how to practice medicine in this environment, and to learn how to develop the practice of medicine for tribal communities will be incredible!What are your interests?
I enjoy providing full spectrum care, working with patients who have substance use disorders, and OB patients. I would like to specialize in Addiction Medicine.What are some fun facts about you?
I am training to be a DM for DnD, play Magic the Gathering, enjoy terrible books and movies. I have a rescued boudreaux pit bull who has spent 8 years trying to teach me the perfection of mind that comes from being entirely at one with the moment, and to never let anything come between yourself and peanut butter.Winnie Tsai, DO
Where are you originally from?
Rancho Palos Verdes, CAUndergraduate College:
University of California, IrvineWhere did you attend Medical School?
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in ArizonaWhy did you choose PTHA?
After completing an audition rotation, I knew PTHA would be an amazing place to train during my residency. It has a perfect balance of rigorous adult and pediatric inpatient training alongside residents at Tacoma Family Medicine, a warm and welcoming outpatient clinic that provides care for Puyallup tribal members as well as other regional Native American tribes and a strong osteopathic manipulative medicine curriculum.What are your interests?
I am a firm believer in practicing medicine with a focus on prevention that incorporates education on nutrition and physical activity. I am interested in pediatric and women's health, behavioral health, utilizing osteopathic manipulative medicine/integrative medicine for chronic pain, and issues concerning end of life. I have always been passionate about working with undeserved communities. Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest -- hiking, eating, gardening, traveling and photography. I love to cook and experiment with new recipes. I also love low-key "Netflix and Chill" evenings with my husband.What are some fun facts about you?
I spent a month in Quito, Ecuador of my 4th year learning medical Spanish and met my future co-resident Arielle in Baños de Santa Agua! I hiked up to the summit of Ruca Pichincha, a volcano at 15,413 ft elevation. I am obsessed with dogs, yet allergic to them at the same time.Nick Snow, DO
Where are you originally from?
The beautiful hills of western North Carolina (Granite Falls, NC)Undergraduate College:
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)Where did you attend Medical School?
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus (Blacksburg, VA)Why did you choose PTHA?
I chose PTHA on account of the community we serve! I am passionate about Native health and PTHA provides an amazing array of patient-centered, well-rounded care. PTHA has also fostered a sense of community unlike other programs and I am excited to be a part of it. I plan to pursue a career in this IHS and know that PTHA would be an exceptional preparation for my future. Additionally, I am excited to grow as an osteopath and found the OMM training here to be exceptional. I also can't deny the fact that I am excited to be in the Evergreen state with all of the beautiful nature around. 🙂What are your interests?
In regards to health and medicine, I am interested in many things. My all-encompassing motivation to empower folks to increase their overall physical, mental, and spiritual health. I am passionate about food, exercise, osteopathic manipulation, herbal & integrative medicine, musculoskeletal/sports medicine, and mental/spiritual health. I also am interested in health policy, particularly matters that pertain to the "upstream" determinants of health, like insurance, employment, access to green areas, and food access. I believe are health is inseparable from our communities and together, we can all support in each other in health.What are some fun facts about you?
Outside of the clinic and hospital, you can find me outside hiking trails, climbing rocks, dancing to groovy tunes, or simply enjoying some tea and reading a book. I love mushrooms and used to forage in the Appalachian mountains, so any local knowledge on the local mycology will be appreciated! I'm a professionally amateur juggler. I've also traveled to several Latin American countries and love to speak Spanish!Arielle Jacob, DO
Where are you originally from?
Freehold, NJUndergraduate College:
Fordham University in Bronx, NYWhere did you attend Medical School?
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PAWhy did you choose PTHA?
My previous positions in the social work field has inspired me to stay involved with community outreach and empowerment; however, I was unsure with which community. After a transforming medical school rotation with PTHA, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to indigenous health. I chose PTHA because of their unity and dedication to the Native population.What are your interests?
My career interests include preventive medicine, rural health, health literacy, mental and emotional health, bridging modern and traditional treatments, nutrition, diabetes management, and women's healthcare.What are some fun facts about you?
In my spare time, I enjoy reading memoirs, trying new recipes, taking aerialist classes, and binge watching Latin American telenovelas.Second Year Residents
Andrew Ma, DO
Where are you originally from?
Los Angeles, CAUndergraduate College:
Occidental CollegeWhere did you attend Medical School?
Liberty College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I chose PTHA for its patient population and locationWhat are your interests?
Preventative and pain medicine. Personally, I love food, fitness, the LA Lakers, travel, snowboarding, photography, and League of Legends.What are some fun facts about you?
I have instructed and assisted students in playing guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums, and composed and tabbed songs for students to perform in annual concerts for Chinatown Children’s Choir in Los Angeles. I have also completed the 100 chicken McNugget eating challenge.Hilary Baer, DO
Where are you originally from?
Astoria, OregonUndergraduate College:
Pacific UniversityWhere did you attend Medical School?
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I chose PTHA because of its strong foundation in Osteopathic medicine and Osteopathic principles. I truly appreciated the sense of community and collegiality during my interaction with people at PTHA. The broad-spectrum curriculum offered by PTHA will provide the training I need to become a successful, competent family physician, and set me up to provide the best care possible to my patients. I look forward to learning about Tribal culture and their unique health care needs.What are your interests?
I love Osteopathic manipulation and believe it is a great treatment option for patients with pain. I enjoy treating many patients with Osteopathic manipulation, but my passion is treating pregnant women, women who have recently had a baby, and athletes. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, music and going to concerts, cooking, volunteering, and exploring the community with my family.What are some fun facts about you?
I have a sweet 1 year old daughter, Eleanor. In high school I was in varsity choir and sang in Carnegie Hall in New York City. In college I swam with sharks in Belize. I am a contributor to a health blog - Infinite Health D.O.Ashley Olson, DO
Where are you originally from?
Delta, WIUndergraduate College:
University of Wisconsin Madison – BS in Special EducationWhere did you attend Medical School?
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
Prior to pursuing a medical career, I was a teacher in Bethel, AK, the off-the-road-system rural hub of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. After a short time, it became clear that I would spend the rest of my life in Bethel and have therefor directed my medical training toward acquiring the skills necessary to effectively practice medicine in the hospital serving the Alaska Native communities throughout the YK Delta. PTHA provides me with the opportunity to focus on both rural full-spectrum medicine with obstetrics and the unique needs of Native communities with whom I will be working.What are your interests?
In life, I am interested in anything that keeps me moving, preferably outside. In medicine, I am primarily interested in very rural, full spectrum medicine. The reality of having to routinely come up with unique solutions to problems that wouldn’t even arise in areas of unlimited resources is extraordinarily enjoyable to me.What are some fun facts about you?
I grew up in a barn in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin. I used to teach middle school. I’m an introvert and just the thought of mingling gives me heart palpitations. I have a knack for finding lost items. I don’t like it when my hands get dirty. My first car was a 1991 Ford Thunderbird with a rust spot in the passenger side floorboard that was so impressive you could see the road beneath your feet.Ian Gillingham, MD
Where are you originally from?
[Information to come]Third Year Residents
Sara Wagner, DO
Where are you originally from?
Mainz, Germany followed by Bellevue, WAUndergraduate College:
University of Washington – BS in microbiology and BA in Near Eastern Languages and CivilizationWhere did you attend Medical School?
Touro University California College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
While I was visiting different programs in my 4th year of medical school, I was blown away by PTHA’s warm, respectful atmosphere where non-Native Americans are welcomed as part of the community to address Native specific and unique needs. I was looking for a program that builds a strong relationship with its community and that addresses not only medical but also psychiatric and cultural aspects of health. I was also looking for a program that was strong in osteopathic manipulative therapy, as I intend on using this treatment modality in my future family medicine practice. Lastly, the entire PTHA staff very quickly began to feel like friends and colleagues, a feeling that lingered long after I had left the rotation.What are your interests?
Within medicine, I love osteopathic manipulative therapy, and believe overwhelmingly that it is the single most under-utilized specialty in medicine. It is helpful in treating not only musculoskeletal complaints such as stiff necks or headaches, but also in treating visceral (organ) dysfunction that results in problems such as acid reflux, constipation, spastic bladder, and diminished lymph flow. Outside of medicine, I sing with Lyric Opera Northwest and try to practice as much as possible! I also enjoy sewing, beadwork, and Southwest Asian dance.What are some fun facts about you?
My first ever solo was as the "rose seller" in "Who Will Buy?" from the musical "Oliver!" (and the first time I sang it in front of an audience, I was so out of breath from helping to move set pieces moments before that I almost blew it). My favorite things to sew are dresses, especially ball gowns. I am originally from Germany, and most of my family still lives there.James Hooper, DO
Where are you originally from?
Davidson, NCUndergraduate College:
UNC GreensboroWhere did you attend Medical School?
Campbell University College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I was first attracted to the Residency program and clinic for its mission to address the medical needs of underserved communities, and the outstanding resources that the Puyallup Tribe has been able to organize for it’s greater community. Furthermore, from the moment I first interviewed at PTHA I felt an immediate kinship with Residents, Faculty, and Staff and knew that this was a perfect fit for me and my family.What are your interests?
I am drawn to Family Medicine for the opportunity to treat multiple generations within a single family an. My specific areas of interest within the field include Sports, Nutrition, and Preventative Medicine.What are some fun facts about you?
I speak Spanish, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador from March 2008 to December 2010 where I put my second language to good use before embarking on my career in medicine.Jarrett Bruno, DO
